HC Deb 05 November 1908 vol 195 c1387
MR. W. THORNE (West Ham, S.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that at Messrs. Silver's gutta percha works at Silvertown, who do a great deal of work for the various Government Departments, they are discharging the majority of trade unionists who belong to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers; and whether, in view of the Fair Wages Clause, he will have the matter investigated.

MR. MCKENNA

The trade union referred to have made certain representations with regard to the Silvertown works, and have been requested to present the case to the Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress in accordance with the recognised procedure. Any alleged broach of the Fair Wages Clause of Admiralty contracts will be investigated at once on the matter being brought before the Board in due form.

MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)

In view of the increasing number of unemployed, can the Government say what steps the men can take in order to get sufficient employment?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order.